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(RE/MAX Blog)- Going back to school is an exciting time. Kids get to see their friends, have a new year of field trips to look forward to and, with any luck, get the teachers your neighbors rave about. However, with homework and extracurricular activities, going back to school can be stress-inducing for both parents and children. Here are some tips to keep calm, cool, and collected.

Parents:

Consolidate school-related items: Have a space in your home, such as a section in your mudroom or home office, that is just for hanging backpacks and storing school supplies. This will help you and your kids know where everything is during the morning scramble to catch the bus.

Keep a calendar handy: Between soccer practices, ballet lessons and art classes, it can be hard to keep a schedule straight. Keep a monthly desk calendar with your children's activities in a central area so that you are all on the same page. The fridge or a bulletin board are great options. A magnetic dry-erase version makes it easy to update when plans change.

Have low-stress mornings: Helping your kids get ready for school while you're getting ready for work can be a challenge. Formulate a routine that both you and your children are comfortable with to take the chaos out of mornings.

And a few tips to share with your kids:

Write things down: During the school day, a million things can happen. Recording due dates and taking notes on the specifics of an assignment will help you forego the stress of forgetfulness and earn a higher grade. On the bright side? Doodling in your notes has been shown to help with memory and focus. Sharpen your pencil!

Do the reading: Pop quizzes are the worst. Avoid anxiety by staying current on your reading assignments. Reading a couple chapters at a time, as your teacher assigns, is much easier than trying to tackle the Odyssey the night before a test.

Keep everything together: Stay organized with a folder or binder for each class with all of your notes and the handouts given. Adding a date to the top of your pages and keeping them in order will be helpful when it comes time to prepare for a test.

Don't accept bullying: Bullying can occur at any age but is never acceptable and should not be tolerated. Let your teacher or an adult you trust know if you are being mistreated or teased by your classmates. This will definitely save you stress, and will help you focus and feel safe in school.

So you've decided to sell your home. While you're preparing for this next chapter in life, keep some of your attention and energy on the importance of preparing your home to outshine all others on the market. Selling your home in the shortest amount of time, receiving your asking price and having an all-around flawless sale can be achievable if you properly prepare this (very large) item you're about to sell. Here are my tips to ensure that success.

1. Emphasize the idea of move-in ready A neutral palette (regardless of how boring you may think it is) will always be a timeless choice when it comes to paint, furniture and window coverings. And you don't need to be a professional interior designer to arrange things within your home – visit some model homes in your area and take note of how they're staged. Simple DIY projects go a long way.

2. Declutter and depersonalize Potential buyers want to see themselves in your home; need to envision how they can make it theirs. Simplify spaces (including entryways) by removing everyday items such as TV remotes, schoolwork, piles of laundry, to-do lists on the fridge, personal photos and excessive amounts of pet toys. Clean out closets and begin boxing up items. If you know you're moving, why not get a head start on your packing anyway? Clean, well-organized and minimal closets showcase space potential, not your personal items. And adding fresh flowers, plug-in air fresheners, a foyer table, simple décor and a nice rug can give buyers that well-needed hug when they enter your home!

3. Appeal to the senses Walk your home and ask yourself (or others), "What do you see, smell, touch and hear?" Deep clean your home or hire a professional cleaning company to make it sparkle – it gives buyers the impression the home has been well cared for. Remember, sticky floors and filthy light switches appeal to no one. If you have pets, consider confining them to one area of the house while your home is on the market. Barking dogs (or chirping smoke detectors) can hurry a potential buyer along during a showing. Consider leaving on some instrumental music during showings to appeal to your buyers' ears.

4. Remove the eyesores Look around your home and ask yourself these questions: "Would I purchase this home today? Do I like the overall style? Is my home dated? Is my backyard a sanctuary for a family?" The answers to these questions will help you identify the eyesores. Look for items in your home that are dated, have harsh patterns or edgy colors, are too small to fill a wall or are too large on a small one. Styles that clash with one another, aged wallpaper, broken items you can't repair, rusted car parts or clutter in your yard or patios all create eyesores. It's better to have an empty wall, an empty room or nothing at all than something that doesn't work for the space or is unappealing. Mirror your space after current styles and trends found in design magazines.

5. Consider using my checklist Here is my checklist when I am staging a home. This list has never failed me and keeps me accountable – and sets my Realtor up for success!

Exterior: - Grass is cut, edged and looks healthy. - Weeds are pulled. - Any dead bushes or trees have been removed. - Simple flowers or wild grasses are added on patios and porches. - House itself is cleaned and/or power washed. - Toys, yard hoses, dog leashes, dog waste, yard statues are all cleaned up and put away. - Back patio and yard are "lightly staged" with plants, cushions on chairs, and rugs under seating areas and patio table. Add outdoor lanterns and candles. - Patio or deck is cleaned. - DIY projects are completed. To include: freshly stained deck, repaired broken floorboards, loose banister railings, exterior lights, sheds or outbuildings organized and cleaned. Any landscaping projects are not left incomplete. Large cracks in driveways or sidewalks are repaired.

Interior: - Home smells clean, looks clean, is decluttered and appeals to the senses. - Eyesores are removed. - Personal photos and items are put away. - Daily messes and countertop items (in both the kitchen and bathroom) are put away. - Toiletries, perfumes and jewelry are not left on vanity counters. - Small appliances, dishes and kitchen needs are not cluttered on kitchen counters - Fresh flowers or artificial plants are placed throughout the home to add life to spaces. - Color palettes and themes in each space are transformed to a more neutral palette. Bold patterns in décor or too many colors are minimized. - Themes and prominent styles in home are minimized as to not assume the home is exclusively Santa Fe style, Tuscan style, Western, etc. - DIY projects are completed. To include: replacing dated textures, fixtures, wallpaper, window coverings, faucets, general household repairs, etc.

Keep these items in mind when staging your home for resale, and you'll enter the selling process with the confidence your home deserves!

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(RE/MAX Blog)- In the market for a new home but have no idea where to start? There are several decisions you should begin to make before you even start your home search. By asking yourself the right questions, you can quickly pinpoint what you want – and can afford – in your next home.

1. What's your budget? See how your finances stand up to the 28/36 rule, which lenders use to see what you can afford to pay each month. A financial adviser or your real estate agent also can help you crunch the numbers. Going through the mortgage pre-approval process lets you know how much lenders will allow you to borrow – plus it helps you show sellers that you have the funds to backup your offer.

2. What do you need in your new home? How many bedrooms or bathrooms do you need? What about a large kitchen, a home office or a playroom for the kids? How many cars need covered parking? It's critically important to ensure the home you select meets your family and lifestyle needs.

3. Do you want a condo or single-family home? Condos come with much less maintenance. You typically won't be shoveling snow in the winter or replacing the roof, but you'll likely pay monthly association fees to cover services and repairs in the community. Houses, on the other hand, come with more privacy and freedom to customize. They also come with full responsibility for maintenance.

4. How do you feel about living under covenants? Depending on where you buy, you may have to pay homeowner association (HOA) fees in addition to your mortgage. There are benefits to HOAs, such as maintenance, community centers, and maybe even a pool or gym. But you also could be faced with more restrictive rules about the look of the outside of your home, down to the color of your front door, types of window coverings, and whether you can plant flowers in your yard.

5. What school district do you want to be near? Even if you don't have children in the house, local schools will affect your property value. Prospective homebuyers tend to search with education in mind. Do your research on the schools in the areas you'd like to live in.

6. Should the home be move-in ready? Ask yourself how much elbow grease you're willing to put into a home – or how much you'll pay someone else to do the work. Fixer-upper homes can be great after the work is done, but you'll want to figure out your renovation budget before you start your home search. A203k home-renovation loan might be the right resource for you. If you're not ready for the extra financial commitment of rehabbing a home, or you can't or don't want to wait for remodeling projects to finish up, then a home that's move-in ready might be right for you.

After considering all these factors, you'll be ready to start the home search with a clearer picture of where you're headed.

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(RE/MAX Blog)- Trying to save money? Home maintenance is so much more affordable than emergency repairs. Here are five routine maintenance projects that can help prevent unexpected costs and save you money year round.

1. Clear out gutters

Water from clogged gutters can overflow and leak into your home. Heavy, ice-packed gutters can tear away from your house in the winter. Grab a ladder, gloves and hose and clear them out while the weather is still warm.

2. Re-caulk windows

Drafty windows and doors can suck money right out of your budget from high energy bills. Check the caulk and weatherproofing strips around doors and windows to make sure they're not dried and crumbling. If they are, they're easy (and cheap) to replace.

3. Clean the fireplaces

Have your chimney professionally inspected and potentially cleaned annually to prevent creosote, a flammable byproduct of wood burning, from building up. It can create a fire hazard and elevate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Before each use, make sure your damper closes tightly and clear remaining ashes from the bottom of your fireplace.

4. Check your filters

Clogged furnace and air conditioning filters not only make your HVAC system less efficient, they also can spread unhealthy pollutants and allergies in your home. Dark and mucky filters should be replaced. You don't even need tools.

5. Flush the water heater

Neglected water heaters have a way of getting back at you when you least expect it (and that way is usually soggy and expensive.) Clear out sediment particles that collect over time by regularly flushing out water through the drain valve.

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(RE/MAX Blog)- Looking for some dramatic home improvement inspiration? Here are a few suggestions for projects that won't break the bank or steal more than a weekend or two.

1. Make an entrance

The entrance to your home is a focal point and a few simple changes can leverage its impact. Sand and repaint your front door or invest in a brand new one. Add some bling with new address numbers, knobs, doorbells or knockers. Frame the door with planters to help complete the picture.

2. Class up your cabinets

You don't need to buy new cabinets to give your kitchen a new look. Add a fresh coat of paint, or try out new cabinet hardware (buy knobs and pulls that are the same size as the ones you have to save installation time) for details that give the upgrade an added level of elegance.

3. Make a splash

You don't need to be a pro to install a new kitchen backsplash. Many home stores offer quick classes, or you can cruise YouTube for "how-to" videos. Customize your kitchen with ceiling tiles, glass or ceramic tiles, wood or stainless steel.

4. Crown yourself

Crown molding around your walls is a simple addition that can add a ton of character. If you don't have woodworking tools, don't panic. Home improvement stores can cut strips of molding to your measurements.

5. Look to the little things

You'll be surprised at how much of a difference swapping out old switch plates, outlet covers and doorknobs can make.

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(RE/MAX Blog) - These days, moving to a new home with your pet - whether furry, feathered, or scaled – isn't so uncommon. Many find themselves looking for pet-friendly lodging on the road to their new homes.

Many hotels allow travelers to bring their pets into every room, while others have a certain number of pet designated rooms. Certain pet friendly hotels welcome pets of all breeds and sizes at no additional charge. Others have weight or breed restrictions, and may charge an extra fee when you bring your pet. Be sure to check your hotel's pet policies before you book your room to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Plan Early

Pet-friendly rooms can fill up quickly. So, when you're planning your travel route, make sure to check pet friendly lodging availability and book in advance to avoid being turned away. Hiccups along the way are bound to happen, but good planning can help you save money and avoid scrambling for a place to stay along the way.

Consider your Budget

Depending on your budget and how comfortable you and your pet want to be, check out pet-friendly rooms at road-side motels or luxury hotels. No matter what your travel budget is, there are several pet friendly options to help you stay on track. If you have any special requests or concerns, be sure to call ahead before booking to make sure the lodging can accommodate you.

Extended Stays - A Sense of Home Before the House

There are multiple reasons for pushing back your move-in date, which potentially leaves you in your new town without a place to stay. Extended stay hotels are a great option for those needing somewhere to unload for more than a just few nights. Typically equipped with kitchens, laundry facilities and other amenities needed when traveling, many extended stay hotels are pet friendly and affordable.

No matter where your move takes you, planning ahead for pet friendly travels is a safe bet that the process will go as smoothly as possible. Enjoy the ride and embrace this next chapter in your life with your pet right beside you!

Kim Salerno is the President and Founder of TripsWithPets.com, a pet travel guide that provides online reservations at more than 30,00,000 pet friendly accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. Kim spends her free time traveling with her four-legged kids, Tucker, Charlie and Brownie.

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(RE/MAX Blog)- Creating a home media center means you'll never have to put up with the annoying guy at the theater who talks through the whole movie (unless, of course, you're married to him). Here are a few tips to get you started.

Think about acoustics

Choose a room with limited windows and doors to seal in the sound. Keep in mind that valuted ceilings can be tough when it comes to adjusting your sound system.

Set up strategically

To find the optimum distance to sit from the screen, the general rule of thumb is to multiply the diagonal size of your TV in inches by two.

Popcorn, of course

Once you're nestled into your home theater seats, you're not going to want to walk all the way to the kitchen for more refreshments. Consider investing in an old-fashioned popcorn stand. A mini-fridge may come in handy, too.

Set the scene

Frame a few posters from your favorite flicks and hang them on the wall. Popcorn buckets and marquee lights can also add to the environment.

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(RE/MAX Blog) - Preparing to bring home a furry bundle of wagging joy? Keep your puppy (and belongings) safe by following these tips.

1. Harvest your plants

Puppies are known to nibble indiscriminately – make sure they don't munch on a toxic houseplant! Find out which of your plants are dangerous (azalea, philodendron and jade are a few) and either hang them high or make a neighbor's day with a gift of green.

2. Hide your cords

Everything can look like a chew toy to pups, and electrical cords are no exception. If you can't tuck them safely out of sight, try feeding cords through PVC tubing. Cords hanging from drapes and blinds also can be tempting to puppies. Tie them up out of reach.

3. Stash your trash

Items such as Q-tips and twisty ties can cause serious damage if your puppy consumes them. Chicken bones can be ever-so-enticing – and highly dangerous – to dogs. If you have under-counter storage space that can accommodate your trash can, use it. Otherwise, be sure to use a sturdy trash can with a locking lid.

4. Secure your snacks

Avoid the temptation to slip your dog table scraps. Lots of common foods, like onions and grapes, are poisonous to dogs. Foods stored in plastic bags are also dangerous, as puppies could suffocate on the plastic. Stash them on high shelves, or in pantries and cabinets.

5. Mind your pocketbook

Hang a hook or clear some space in a closet where you can place your purse as soon as you walk through the front door. You'd be amazed how quickly a pup can pilfer pills, sharp objects, pens (that could leak all over your carpet), makeup and other dangerous items from your bag.

6. Store cleaners

Make sure all household cleaning agents, like laundry detergent, pods, bleach and furniture polish, are stowed safe from the puppy in a cabinet that either locks or has a child-proof latch.